Leather rolling apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for rolling and compacting leather either automatically or semi-automatically using in combination a leather rolling press, a plurality of conveyor tables, conveyor boards and an electrical control circuit, the tables and press being positioned to form a continuous pathway for the boards into and out of the press, each board being adapted to receive thereon at a loading table a leather crop or a pair of bends, the boards and their carried leather successively being passed to an inlet table, then into the rolling press from the inlet table, the leather being rolled in two stages in the press, after which the boards and leather are moved to an exit table, thence an unloading table, and thereafter to a loading table where the next crops or bends of leather are loaded on the boards. The cycle is then repeated under the control of the electrical system.

United States Patent Schratle et al.

[541 LEATHER ROLLING APPARATUS [72] Inventors: Bans Christoph Schrade,Bensberg- Refrath, Germany; William F. del Guidice, Durbin; Charles W.Wimer, Bartow, both of W. Va.

[73] Assignee: Howes Leather Company, Inc., Boston,

Mass.

[22] Filed: Dee.28,l970

[21] Appl. No.: 101,835

[52] U.S. Cl ..69/46, 100/45 [5]] Int. Cl. ..Cl4b 1/30 [58] FieldofSearch ..69/46,48, l; loo/45,215

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,704,932 3/1955 Mcllvin eta1 ..69/l 2,721,469 lO/1955 Metzger .69/46 2,799,339 7/1957 Trostel etal ..69/] X [4 1 May 23,1972

3,398,675 8/1968 Potter et a1. 100/21 5 X Primary Examiner-Alfred R.Guest Attorney-Kenway, Jenney & Hildreth ABSTRACT Apparatus for rollingand compacting leather either automatically or semi-automatically usingin combination a leather rolling press, a plurality of conveyor tables,conveyor boards and an electrical control circuit, the tables and pressbeing positioned to form a continuous pathway for the boards into andout of the press, each board being adapted to receive thereon at aloading table a leather crop or a pair of bends, the

boards and their carried leather successively being passed to an inlettable, then into the rolling press from the inlet table, the leatherbeing rolled in two stages in the press, after which the boards andleather are moved to an exit table, thence an unloading table, andthereafter to a loading table where the next crops or bends of leatherare loaded on the boards. The cycle is then repeated under the controlof the electrical system.

8 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures FIG.I

PATENTEDMAY23|912 3,664,162

HANS CHRISTOPH SCHRADE WILLIAM F. del GIUDICE CHARLES W. WIMER ATTORNEYS'PATENTEDMAY 23 I972 3, 664. 16 2 SHEET 2 or 3 54 7s 44 72 42 F|G.3(b)38 74 we; 34 30 72 2 76 E84 :6l 76 I [Ii/70 l8 L34 30 INVENTORS HANSCHRISTOPH SCHRADE WlLLIAM F. del GlUDICE CHARLES W. WIMER ATTORNEYSLEATHER ROLLING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the manufactureof heavy tanned leather such as sole leathers, a bend of the tannedleather during its processing is compacted by passing it through a heavyduty rolling machine, in which the bend is manually placed on the platenof the machine which then rises to bring the leather in contact with alengthwise oscillating roller platen with sufficient pressure so thatthe action of the rollers on the top surface of the leather will rolland compact the latter. After rolling, the press platens open, the bendof leather is removed, and a succeeding bend of leather is placed in themachine for rolling.

Such a machine is one called Bend Rolling Machine No. 46 manufactured byMaschinenfabrik Turner AG whose address is Frankfurt, W. Germany. Thesemachines are now being used in the United States and when such apparatusis purchased from the German manufacturer there are also provided withthe machine a full description, a complete wiring diagram, and completeoperating instructions for the actual rolling of a bend of leather. Itis to be noted that the machine as customarily purchased is one which islarge enough to roll a bend. The machine commonly purchased will notcompact or roll a crop, that is, a piece of leather in the order of to[2 feet long. Since such machines are well known, a description thereofwill not be given in this application, save as noted below.

The above described operation of utilizing the above German rollingmachine uses too much time, because the steps of loading a relativelyshort bend into a machine, then closing the machine so that it rolls,and then unloading the rolled bend from the machine uses too muchvaluable operator time.

There is a need for apparatus in which the loading and unloading can bedone either semi-automatically or automatically, and in which apresently available machine such as the above German rolling machine canbe used to roll or compact roll crops of leather as well as bends. It isthe fundamental purpose of this invention to provide such an apparatus,andone by means of which the operator or operators need only to load andunload conveying boards, the passage of the conveying boards throughoutthe system being thereafter governed automatically, or, if desired,semi-automatically.

Consequently, as a result of the position or relationship of certaininlet and exit tables and unloading and loading tables with respect tothe rolling machine, a continuous flow of carrier boards can bemaintained which will be processed through the combined apparatus in acontinuous cycle with the operators simply serving the function ofloading and unloading the carrier boards.

Therefore, among the several objects and provisions of the invention maybe noted the following:

One object of the invention is the provision of apparatus for rollingsuccessive pieces of leather on a cyclic step basis automatically.

Another object of the invention is the provision of apparatus of theabove kind, in which the leather to be rolled is conveyed into and outof a rolling press and a loop flow path including said press, by meansof rigid carrier means.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of apparatus of thelast named class, in which loading and unloading tables are provided atpredetermined positions in the loop flow path in which leather may berespectively loaded onto and removed from the carrier means preferablymanually.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of apparatus ofthe above kind, in which not only may full crops of leather be rolledbut in which bends of leather may also be rolled utilizing the carriermeans.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a method ofrolling a piece of leather in which the leather is conveyed into and outof a rolling press by means of a carrier element.

Still another object of the invention is a method as given above, inwhich the carrier means is advanced into and out of the press inoverlapping steps.

Other objectsand advantages that will be in part obvious, and in partpointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and the combinations ofelements, steps and sequence of steps, features of construction andarrangements of parts of the apparatus, and methods of operation, all ofwhich will be exemplified in the structures of the apparatus and themethods herein described, and the scope of the application of which willbe indicated in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which one of the various possibleembodiments of the invention is illustrated:

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view, of an assembly or combination ofindividual elements which comprise the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view in elevation of the FIG. 1 em bodiment;

FIG. 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d are schematic plan views showing sequentialpositions of carrier boards of the invention during the cycle of suchboards through the apparatus of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic wiring diagram showing a control circuit for theabove embodiment.

In the drawings, the various elements are presented somewhatschematically for clarity in describing the invention. It is within theknowledge of persons skilled in the construction of conveyor tables tomake the tables themselves without detailed description thereof beinggiven herein. In respect to the FIG. 4 wiring diagram, it is presentedin terms of conventional electrical relays and electrical switches forease in understanding the invention. Of course, more sophisticatedelectrical control elements serving the same functions may be used suchas transistors, etc. without departing from the scope of the invention.

In the drawings, similar reference characters indicate correspondingparts throughout the several views thereof, and the dimensions ofcertain other parts are shown in the drawings may have been modifiedand/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity of illustration andunderstanding of the invention.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown an assembly ofindividual operational units which taken together in combination andoperating under the control of the electrical control system of thisinvention, perform the requisite steps of automatically conveying a cropof leather through a rolling machine in successive steps so that theleather may be compacted. An inlet conveyor table 2 is provided and isoperated (as shown schematically) by a conventional drive system 4 whichturns, for example, one of the end rollers on which the belt of theconveyor table is trained. Next in line is a leather rolling press 6 ofthe kind specifically mentioned above, the press being illustratedschematically and having a lower vertically movable platen 8 actuated bythe hydraulic cylinder 10. The press has a top platen 12 which is fixedin a vertical direction, but may be operated to move in an oscillatorymanner in a lengthwise direction as shown by the arrow 14 of FIG. 2.Next in line is an exit table comprising a short conveyor table 16 and alonger conveyor table 18, each of these being operated by means of thedrive system 20 of conventional nature which operates the respectiverollers on which the belts of the conveyors are trained.

It is to be noted that in describing the conveyor tables, they areexplained as being the belt type in which the conveyor belt is trainedaround rollers at each end of the conveyor table, with one or both ofthe rollers of each table being driven by an electrical motor which isunder the control of the electrical system of this invention. It isobvious that instead of belt type conveyor tables, there may be usedthose having a plurality of driven rollers making up the table. I

Conveyor table 16 is separated from the conveyor table 18 in order toprovide a gap 22 therebetween to permit sliding through the gap a pusherelement 24 operated by an air or liquid operated cylinder 26. At theother end of table 18 and separated therefrom by the gap 28 is astationary platform or table 30, and to slide in gap 28 there isprovided a pusher element 32 actuated by cylinder 33.

Positioned laterally adjacent the conveyor 18 and in the same plane iswhat is hereinafter called an unloading table 34, this table being abelt conveyor and being operated by the drive means 36 which (like thetables described above) drives the roller on which the conveyor belt istrained. Adjacent the table 34 is an intermediate conveyor table 38 liketable 34 which is also operated by the drive 36 as described above.

In line with the conveyor table 38 is a loading conveyor table whichcomprises two separate tables 42 and 44, in the manner that the twotables 16 and 18 together act as a single table. Both sections can bebelt type, but preferably section 42 is a series of rollers, and section44 can be a freely moving belt. The tables are separated by gap 48 and apusher element 50 operatable by cylinder 52 slides in this gap. Astationary table 54 is provided adjacent the ends of the conveyor tables2 and 44 but separated therefrom by the gap 56. Within gap 56 may bemoved the pusher element 50 operated by cylinder 60.

As mentioned earlier in the discussion of the general nature of theinvention, the underside of the top platen 12 of the German roller 6 isprovided with a plurality of rollers 62, these rollers being mounted insuitable bearings and comprising the actual means which contact thesurface of the leather in order to roll it to compact it.

Illustrated in FIG. 1 is a single carrying means for a crop of leather76, the means being, for example, a plywood board 70. The respectivelengths of the inlet table, the exit table, the unloading table and theloading table, are so made in respect to the length of the rolling pressand length of crop that by rolling first one-half of the crop and thenthe succeeding half, a plurality of boards can be used as illustratedmore fully in FIGS. 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d, as will be described below inrespect to additional boards 72 and 74.

Positioned with respect to the inlet conveyor belt so as to be actuatedby board 70 (and succeeding boards) is a switch 80 which may be aphotocell type, or a switch whose contacts are moved by a feeler arm.Switch 80 has electrical contacts 168, 184 and 190. The purpose ofswitch 80 is to sense the presence of a conveyor board and its leathercrop on inlet table 2.

Associated with the roller press 6 in conventional manner so as to sensethe presence of a conveyor board in the press is an electrical switch 84which can be a feeler actuable type or it can be a photocell switchingdevice. Switch 84 has contacts 160, 162 and 178. Positioned on orconnected with the conveyor tables 16-18 is an electrical switch 86which also may be a feeler type, or a photocell actuated switch, whichis adapted to sense the presence of a board as it emerges from theroller press. Switch 86 has contacts 164 and 166.

Positioned with respect to table so as to be actuated by the end ofuboard resting on the table is switch 88 of either of the above types,having contacts 200 and 204.

Positioned in respect to the conveyor belt 38 so as to be actuated by aconveyor board such as board 70 during its passage on the conveyor is aposition sensing switch 89 of the above types and having contacts 208,210 and 21 1.

Positioned in respect to table 54 so as to be actuated by a board ontable 44 in position for loading is switch 90 of either of the abovetypes, and having contacts 194 and 232.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3a and illustrated by dotted lines, there isshown a carrier board 70 in position on the inlet conveyor table 2, theboard having thereon an exemplary leather crop 76. In this description,the various carrier boards 70, 72, and 74 are about 3 feet wide and 12feet long, and can be made of plywood three-eighths to one-half inch inthickness, as an example. It will be found that boards of suchdimensions are sufficiently long to handle conveniently a full crop ofleather, and plywood is rigid enough so that when the whole board ismoved upwardly (with its crop) by the platen 8 of press 6, there will besufficient pressure exertable by the rollers 62 on the leather tocompact it.

It is also to be noted that if it is desired to roll bends of leatherinstead of crops, then on a single board two bends can be placed inline, instead ofa single crop. When, in subsequent positions of theboard, the forward end of the board is in the position in the rollingpress illustrated in FIG. 3b, the bend on the forward portion of theboard and a portion of the second or rear bend will be rolled by thisportion of the rolling machines cycle. When the board is in the positionshown in FIG. 30 so that its rear portion is in the press, the entirerear bend plus a portion of the forward bend will be rolled. Thus, bythe use of this apparatus, either full crops or bends can be rolled onthe machine with equal facility.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a wiring diagram is given schematically for thecontrol of the circuit. A point to point wiring description will not begiven, because since the diagram was given in conventional symbols, therespective connections will be fully understood by persons skilled inthe art. However, some description will be given in order to clarifycertain portions of the wiring diagram.

schematically illustrated by block is a portion of the internal wiringdiagram provided with the German roller press when it is purchased. Onthe machine there will be found a pair of manually operated switches 112and 114. When these switches are closed, the press will operate so thatthe platen 8 will rise to rolling position, and the rolling machine willgo through its cycle of rolling and compacting. Thereafter, the platen 8will lower to open the space between the press platens for the removalor insertion of material therebetween.

A main switch 116 is provided to connect the system to a power supply,in this instance the three-phase lines 118. Power lines 120 connect toone side of motor control contacts 122 which when closed serve toconnect the three-phase motors 124 and 126 to the electrical powersupply. A second set of contacts 128 (actuated by relay 230) when closedserve to connect motor 130 to the power line.

Connected across a pair of single phase power leads is a transformer136. The secondary of this transformer is connected by leads 138 and 140to the electrical control system in a plurality of branches as follows:

A first branch has, in series across leads 138440, the following:manually operable switches 142 and 144, and relay coil 146. Contacts 148of relay 146 shunt switch 142.

The second branch has, in series across leads 138140, the following:Relay coil 150, contacts 152 of relay 146, and contacts 154 of relay 174(see below)v A manually operable switch 156 shunts contacts 152 and 154.

The third branch has in series the following: A parallel circuit havingswitch 84 with contacts 160-162, switch 86 having contacts 164-166,contacts 160 and 164 being connected together, and contacts 162 and 166being connected through contacts 168 ofswitch 80, this parallel circuitbeing connected to relay coil 170 which is then connected to line 140v Asecond parallel circuit connects switch 86 to lead 140 through contacts172 of relay 170 and relay coil 174.

The fourth branch has a parallel circuit connected across leads 138 and140, the left side of the parallel circuit consisting of manuallyoperable switch 176 in series with contacts 178 of switch 84 and oneside of the solenoids 180 of cylinders 56 and 60 which cause the pusherelements 50 and 58 to advance. The right side of the parallel circuitconsists of the contacts 182 of relay 174 which are connected in serieswith contacts 184 of switch 80 and one side of solenoids 186 ofcylinders 52 and 60 which cause pusher elements 50 and 58 to retract.The other sides of solenoids 180 and 186 are connected to lead 140.Contacts 188 of a relay 192 (see below) are connected between one eachof the contacts 176 and 182 as shown.

The fifth branch circuit has in series the following: Contacts 190 ofswitch 80, relay coil 192 and contacts 194 of switch 90. Shunted acrosscontacts 194 are contacts 196 of relay 192.

The sixth branch has the following: Contacts 200 of switch 88 connectsto line 138 one side of the advance solenoids 202 of cylinders 26, 33;and contacts 204 of switch 88 connects to line 138 one side of theretract solenoids 206 of these cylinders. The other sides of thesesolenoids are connected, respectively, to contacts 208 and 210 of switch89, and, depending on the condition of the switch are connected throughcontacts 212 of relay 174 to lead 140. A manually operable switch 214 isconnected across contacts 212. Also, connected across contacts 204 andlead 140 is relay coil 216.

The seventh branch has in parallel contacts 218 of relay 216, andcontacts 220 of relay 222. This parallel sub-branch is connected torelay coil 222, and the latter is connected to contacts 211 of switch 89and thence to line 140.

The eighth branch has the sub-branch consisting of the contacts 226 ofrelay 222 connected in parallel with contacts 228 of motor relay 230.This sub-branch is connected to relay 230 and thence to lead 140 throughcontacts 232 of switch 90. A manually operable switch 234 when closed,will connect relay 230 directly across leads 138-140 if contacts 232 areclosed.

As has been mentioned above, when the roller press switches 112 and 1 14are closed, the press goes through a cycle of operation. To tie thisinto the system, contacts 240 actuable by relay 174 are provided, thesecontacts being connected across the contacts 112 and 114 as shown, andbeing normally open when relay 174 is not energized.

In accordance with conventional practice, suitable fuses or circuitbreakers are to be used to safeguard the system against overloading orshorting of the circuits. These elements are not shown on the drawings.

OPERATION In the following description of the operation of the apparatusand the electrical control system, it is to be noted that for ease ofunderstanding the manner in which the apparatus operates and how theelectrical system controls the operation, the following assumptions aremade:

At the start of the operation to be described, and with a carrier board70 on table 2, assume the following switches and relay contacts areopen: 116, 122, 128, 142, 148, 156, 152, 162, 168, 164, 176, 188, 182,190, 196 200, 208, 214, 212, 218, 220, 226, 232, 228, 234, 240, 112, and114.

The following switches and relay contacts are closed: 144, 154, 160,166, 172, 178, 184, 194, 204, 210, and 211. v

The following relay coils or solenoids are deenergized: 146, 150,170,174, 192,216,222, and 230.

The relay coils control, respectively, the following contacts:

Relay 146: Contacts 148 and 152.

Relay 150: Contacts 122.

Relay 170: Contacts 172.

Relay 174: Contacts 154, 182, 212 and 240.

Relay 192: Contacts 196 and 188.

Relay 216: Contacts 218.

Relay 222: Contacts 220 and 226.

Relay 230: Contacts 128 and 228.

Placing a board 70 carrying a leather crop 76 in position on inletconveyor table 2 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3a closes contacts 168 ofswitch 80. Main power switch contacts 116 are now closed to connecttransformer 136 to the power line, and connect one side of motor controlcontacts 122 and 128 to the line.

Switch 142 is momentarily next closed, manually. This applies power torelay 146 through normally closed but manually operable switch 144, andrelay contacts 148 and 152 close. (The closure of switch 142 ismaintained long enough so that closure of contacts 148 electricallylocks relay 146 into the power circuit.) Closure of contacts 152energizes motor relay 150 through closed relay contacts 154, and relay150 closes its contacts 122. This starts conveyor motors 124 and 126 tooperate their respective conveyor tables 2 and 16-18.

Table 2 moves board 70 and its leather crop into the roller press 6 asshown in FIG. 3b. In so moving, the boards leading edge actuates switch84, and the latters contacts 160 open and 162 close. Also, normallyclosed contacts 178 of switch 84 now open. Time delay relay 170 is notyet energized because the board 70 (even though moving) holds contacts168 open. However, when the board has moved to the position shown inFIG. 3b, the rear end of the board leaves switch 80,

and contacts 168 close. Relay 170 now becomes energized through contacts162, 168 and 166 (of switch 86). Relay 174 also becomes energizedthrough contacts 162, 168, 166 and normally closed (but delayed opening)contacts 172 of relay 170. Energization of relay 174 opens contacts 154to deenergize relay 150, thus opening motor control contacts 122 to stopmotors 124 and 126. The board thus stops in the position shown in FIG.3b. Note that due to the physical position of switch with respect to theroller press 6, the board advances into the press about two-thirds ofthe boards length (or, about two-thirds of the length of a full crop onthe board) before the trailing end of the board releases switch 80 tostop the motors.

Energization of relay 174 also closes contacts 182, 212 and 240. Closureof contacts 240 activates roller press 6, platen 8 rises, and rollers 62oscillate to roll that portion of leather crop 76 on board 70 which isin the press (about two-thirds of its length).

AS the boards trailing end released switch 80, contacts 184 opened, andcontacts 190 closed. Time delay relay 192 energizes through closedcontacts 190 and normally closed contacts 194 of switch 90. Thisimmediately closes contacts 196, and after a preset time contacts 188close. However, solenoids 180 which control the advance of pusherelements 50 and 58 cannot yet become energized because contacts 178 areopen.

After the preset rolling time controlled by relay 170, contacts 172open. This deenergizes relay 174 so that contacts 154 close, andcontacts 182, 212 and 240 open. The roller press platen 6 moves down,and conveyor tables 2 and 16-18 start again since contacts 154 and 152are now closed. Board 70 is now moved to the position shown in FIG. 3c.In so doing, its leading edge actuates switch 86 so that its contacts164 close and contacts 166 open. This resets relay 170 and closes itscontacts 172 preparatory for the next rolling cycle.

As board 70 moves to the right, its back end leaves switch 84 andcontacts close and contacts 162 open. Contacts 178 close. Closure ofcontacts 178 energizes the solenoids 180 for cylinders 52 and 60 so asto advance pusher elements 50 and 58 to move the next board onto table2. (See below.) Contacts 160 again energize relay through closedcontacts 164, and relay 174 becomes energized through contacts 160, and164 and 172. Thus, motors 124 and 126 stop with board 70 in the positionshown in FIG. 30, (the board having its rear approximately two-thirds inthe press), and the press roller is again activated through contacts 240to perform another rolling cycle during which the rear portion of thecrop "76 is rolled.

At the end of the second rolling cycle established by relay 170,contacts 172 open, relay 174 deenergizes, contacts 154 close, andcontacts 182, 212 and 240 open. The roller press 6 opens, and conveyors2 and 16-18 start. Board No. 70 moves out of the press to the positionshown in FIG. 3d. Also, the rear end of the board releases switch 86, sothat its contacts 166 reclose and contacts 164 open. At this point, aboard 72 with its leather crop, whichhas previously been placed on (orarrives at) table 2 (see FIG. 30) when board 70 reaches the positionshown in F 1G. 30, is moved partly into the roller press by table 2,since motors 124 and 126 have been started again. As board 72 passesswitch 84, contacts 162 close, thus energizing relays 170 and 174 againfor a rolling operation on the forward twothirds of the leather croponboard 72, as was the case for board 70 and its leather crop. v

Board 72 has previously been moved to table 2 from a position on theloading table 44 (see FIG. 3b) as follows: When relay 192 (previouslyenergized by closure of contacts 190 of switch 80) has finished itstiming cycle, contacts 188 close, and solenoids of the solenoid-actuatedcylinders 52 and 60 are energized through contacts 182, 188 and 178.This advances pusher elements 50 and 58, and board 72 is thus moved fromloading table 44 to the inlet table 2. When it does, it releasesswitch90 and contacts 194 thereof open while contacts 232 close.

This action causes contacts 168 to open, contacts 184 to close, contacts190 to open, contacts 194 to open, and contacts 232 to close. Relay 192becomes deenergized, and the holding circuit established by contacts 196also open. Contacts 188 also open. Retract solenoids 186 of thesolenoid-actuated cylinders 52 and 60 are energized through contacts 182and 184 to return pusher elements 50 and 58 to retract position.

As stated, when board 70 leaves switch 86 on its way out of the rollerpress, contacts 166 close and contacts 164 open. Also, as the boardcontinues, its leading end eventually actuates switch 88 so thatcontacts 200 close. Solenoids 202 for actuating cylinders 26 and 33 toadvance pusher elements 24 and 32 are now ready to be energized as soonas conveyors 2 and 16-18 stop, contacts 212 close, and contacts 208 ofswitch 89 close. Contacts 212 close when the trailing end of next board72 releasing switch 80 so that relay 174'becomes energized throughcontacts 168. Contacts 208 close when a third board 74, previouslyloaded on table 34, is moved by tables 34 and 38 to actuate switch 89.(See FIGS. 3c and 3d in sequence.)

When pusher elements 24 and 32 are thus actuated, board 70 (to continuewith that board and assuming that board 74 has been moved to the loadingtable 44) is moved to unloading table 34, where the rolled leather cropis removed from the board.

After board 70 is moved to table 34, switch 88 is released so thatcontacts 204 close, thus energizing relay 216. After board 74 passesswitch 89, contacts 210 and 211 re-close.

Board 74 was transferred to tables 42, 44 and 54 by motor relay 230becoming energized through contacts 226 and 232 and thus closingcontacts 128 to start motor 130. Relay 230 becomes electrically lockedin through contacts 228 shunted across contacts 226. Conveyor motor 130operates conveyor 38 which moves board 74 from its position on unloadingtable 34 to a position on table 44 far enough so that the operator canby hand move it along into the final position on tables 44 and 54.

As the board 74 passes switch 89 on moving from the unloading table 34to the loading tables 44 and 54, contacts 211 open and contacts 208close. Opening of contacts 21 l deenergizes relay 222, but relay 230continues to be energized through shunt contacts 228.

As board 74 arrives on tables 44 and 54, it actuates 90 so that contacts194 close and contacts 232 open. Relay 230 becomes deenergized and opensits own lock-in contact 228 and also contacts 128 to stop the conveyormotor 130.

In the meantime, upon reenergization of relays 170 and 174, the rollingcycle is started for the forward portion of the crop on board 72. Whenthat cycle is completed so that (as described for board 70) board 72moves to the next rolling position (shown by board 70 in FIG. 30),contacts 190 and 178 again close and relay 192 reenergizes throughcontacts 190 and 194. Contacts 196 close to shunt contacts 194. Solenoidcoils 180 which activate cylinders 52 and 60 will then move the nextboard 74 onto table 2.

As relay 216 completes its time cycle, contacts 218 close energizingrelay 222 through closed contacts 21]. Contacts 220 and 226 close andrelay 230 is again ready to energize to operate conveyor 38 as soon asboard 74 (or boards 70 or 72,

as the case may be) leaves the loading table 44 and 54 which willactuate switch 90 to close contacts 232.

There has thus been described the operating cycle of the apparatus inwhich three boards are sent around the loop path formed by the severaltables 2, 16-18, 34, 38, 42-44, and the A further feature of theinvention is the provision of manual switching controls whereby certainsafety features are provided, as well as the possibility of operatingthe apparatus semi-automatically, as follows:

Normally closed, manually actuable switch 144 (when actuated to open itscontacts) is provided to stop conveyor tables 2 and 16-18 at any time tointerrupt the automatic cycling of the conveyor system for any reasonsuch as, for example, normal work stoppages or emergencies. Openingswitch 144 deenergizes relay 146 to open contacts 152, and thusdeenergizes relay 150 to stop motors 124 and 126. Normally-open manuallyactuable switch 234 gives the operator individual manual control ofconveyor 38 providing contacts 232 are closed. Normally open, manuallyactuable switch 156 gives the operator manual starting control of tables2 and 16-18 for any reason. Normally open, manually operable switch 214shunts relay contacts 212 for manual control of solenoids 202 and 206 tocontrol pusher elements 24 and 32. Manually operable switch 176 can beused to actuate solenoids 180 and 186 to control pusher elements 50 and58.

In view of the above it will be seen that the several objects of theinvention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplication to the details of construction and arrangement of partsillustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capableof other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in variousways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminologyemployed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

AS many changes could be made in the above constructions withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings, shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense, and it is also intended that the appended claims shall cover allsuch equivalent variations as come within the true spirit and scope ofthe invention.

Having described the invention what is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for compressing a length of leather comprismg:

'a rolling press having platens adapted to be separated from each otherto receive a length of leather on a support therefor, the platens beingadapted to move together to close on the length of leather and itssupport to compress the leather, the press having entrance and exitends;

an inlet conveyor table positioned adjacent said entrance end andaligned with the press so that said support carrying the leather maymove into the press when the platens are separated;

an outlet conveyor table positioned adjacent said exit end and alignedwith the press so that said support and leather can move out of thepress and onto the exit table when the platens are separated;

an unloading table positioned laterally of and adjacent said outlettable and having at least a portion adapted to receive thereupon saidsupport and its leather from said outlet table, said unloading tablealso including a conveyor belt portion thereof;

a loading table mounted laterally of said inlet table and adjacent theside thereof, said loading table being in line with said unloadingtable;

saidconveyor belt portion being adapted to move said support from saidunloading table to said loading table;

first means positioned adjacent said loading table and adapted to movesaid support and its leather from said loading table to said inlettable;

second means positioned adjacent said outlet table and adapted to movesaid support and its leather from said outlet table onto said unloadingtable; and

control means for automatically operating said inlet table, outlettable, conveyor belt portion, first means, second means, and said pressin a predetermined sequence with respect to each other.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said predetermined sequence is asfollows:

a. said platens separate;

b. the inlet table moves the support and its leather to a first positionat which at least a first portion of the support and its leather arebetween said platens;

c. the platens move together and compress said first portion of theleather on said support;

d. the platens separate;

e. the inlet and outlet conveyor tables move the support and its leatherto a second position at which at least a second portion of the supportand its leather are between the platens;

f. the platens move together and compress said second portion;

g. the platens separate;

h. the conveying belt portion moves the support to the load- 7 ingtable; and

i. the first means moves the support and a successive length of leatheronto said inlet table.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said support comprises a flat rigidsheet of material of a length and width, respectively, greater than thelength and width of a crop of leather.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said outlet table comprises firstand second tables in alignment but separated to leave a spacetherebetween, and said second means comprises pusher elements adapted tomove past the ends of the second table, thereby to engage the side ofsaid support and push it onto the unloading table one of said pusherelements being adapted to move when actuated within said space.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said loading table includes atleast one table whose ends are unobstructed, and said first meanscomprises pusher elements adapted to move past the ends of said onetable, thereby to engage the side of said support and push it onto theinlet table.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said control system includes aplurality of electrical sensing switches positioned as follows withrespect to the apparatus:

a. A first electrical switch adapted to be in a first condition when thesupport and its leather are on the inlet table prior to entrance of thesupport and leather into the press, said first switch being adapted tobe in a second condition when the support and leather are in position inthe press to have the first portion of the leather compressed;

b. A second electrical switch adapted to be in a first condition whenthe support and leather are within the press and during the time saidfirst portion is being compressed, and being adapted to be in a secondcondition when the support and leather are in the press during the timethe second portion of the leather is being compressed;

c. A third electrical switch adapted to be in a first condition when thesupport and its leather are within the press and during the time thesecond portion of the leather is being pressed; and being adapted to bein a second condition when the support and leather have been moved outof the press and onto the outlet table;

d. A fourth switch adapted to be in a first condition when the supportand its leather have moved completely out of the press and are on theoutlet table, but being adapted to be in a second condition when thesupport and its leather have moved from the outlet table to theunloading table;

e. A fifth switch adapted to be in a first condition when the support ison the unloading table, but being adapted to be actuated into a secondcondition during the passage of the support from the unloading table tothe loading table; and

f. A sixth switch adapted to be in a first condition when the support ison said loading table, and being adapted to be in a second conditionwhen the support and leather have been moved to the inlet table andthere is no support on said loading table.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, in which said first, second,

third, fourth and fifth switches are electrically interlocked in suchmanner that a board and its leather cannot be moved from the inlet tableand into said press to the position where the first portion of theleather will be compressed unless a preceding board has been movedcompletely out of the press; a board and its leather in the press inposition to have the first portion of the leather rolled cannot be movedinto a position in the press where a second portion of the leather is tobe rolled, unless there is no board on the outlet table; a board and itsleather cannot be moved from said outlet table tosaid unloading tableunless there is no board on the unloading table; a board cannot be movedfrom the unloading table to the loading table unless there is no boardon the loading table; and a board and its leather cannot be moved fromthe loading table to the inlet-table unless a board and its leatherbeing compressed has moved at least to the position in the press wherethe second portion of the leather is to be compressed.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the electrical control systemincludes manually operable electrical switches whereby the motion of asupport and its leather can be governed manually at the will of theoperator through the successive stages of first compressing the firstportion of the leather, then compressing the second portion of theleather, moving the support and its leather to the unloading table,moving the support to the loading table, and moving a support withleather on it to the inlet table

1. Apparatus for compressing a length of leather comprising: a rollingpress having platens adapted to be separated from each other to receivea length of leather on a support therefor, the platens being adapted tomove together to close on the length of leather and its support tocompress the leather, the press having entrance and exit ends; an inletconveyor table positioned adjacent said entrance end and aligned withthe press so that said support carrying the leather may move into thepress when the platens are separated; an outlet conveyor tablepositioned adjacent said exit end and aligned with the press so thatsaid support and leather can move out of the press and onto the exittable when the platens are separated; an unloading table positionedlaterally of and adjacent said outlet table and having at least aportion adapted to receive thereupon said support and its leather fromsaid outlet table, said unloading table also including a conveyor beltportion thereof; a loading table mounted laterally of said inlet tableand adjacent the side thereof, said loading table being in line withsaid unloading table; said conveyor belt portion being adapted to movesaid support from said unloading table to said loading table; firstmeans positioned adjacent said loading table and adapted to move saidsupport and its leather from said loading table to said inlet table;second means positioned adjacent said outlet table and adapted to movesaid support and its leather from said outlet table onto said unloadingtable; and control means for automatically operating said inlet table,outlet table, conveyor belt portion, first means, second means, and saidpress in a predetermined sequence with respect to each other.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1 in which said predetermined sequence is as follows:a. said platens separate; b. the inlet table moves the support and itsleather to a first position at which at least a first portion of thesupport and its leather are between said platens; c. the platens movetogether and compress said first portion of the leather on said support;d. the platens separate; e. the inlet and outlet conveyor tables movethe support and its leather to a second position at which at least asecond portion of the support and its leather are between the platens;f. the platens move together and compress said second portion; g. theplatens separate; h. the conveying belt portion moves the support to theloading table; and i. the first means moves the support and a successivelength of leather onto said inlet table.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 inwhich said support comprises a flat rigid sheet of material of a lengthand width, respectively, greater than the length and width of a crop ofleather.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said outlet tablecomprises first and second tables in alignment but separated to leave aspace therebetween, and said second means coMprises pusher elementsadapted to move past the ends of the second table, thereby to engage theside of said support and push it onto the unloading table one of saidpusher elements being adapted to move when actuated within said space.5. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said loading table includes atleast one table whose ends are unobstructed, and said first meanscomprises pusher elements adapted to move past the ends of said onetable, thereby to engage the side of said support and push it onto theinlet table.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said control systemincludes a plurality of electrical sensing switches positioned asfollows with respect to the apparatus: a. A first electrical switchadapted to be in a first condition when the support and its leather areon the inlet table prior to entrance of the support and leather into thepress, said first switch being adapted to be in a second condition whenthe support and leather are in position in the press to have the firstportion of the leather compressed; b. A second electrical switch adaptedto be in a first condition when the support and leather are within thepress and during the time said first portion is being compressed, andbeing adapted to be in a second condition when the support and leatherare in the press during the time the second portion of the leather isbeing compressed; c. A third electrical switch adapted to be in a firstcondition when the support and its leather are within the press andduring the time the second portion of the leather is being pressed; andbeing adapted to be in a second condition when the support and leatherhave been moved out of the press and onto the outlet table; d. A fourthswitch adapted to be in a first condition when the support and itsleather have moved completely out of the press and are on the outlettable, but being adapted to be in a second condition when the supportand its leather have moved from the outlet table to the unloading table;e. A fifth switch adapted to be in a first condition when the support ison the unloading table, but being adapted to be actuated into a secondcondition during the passage of the support from the unloading table tothe loading table; and f. A sixth switch adapted to be in a firstcondition when the support is on said loading table, and being adaptedto be in a second condition when the support and leather have been movedto the inlet table and there is no support on said loading table.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 6, in which said first, second, third, fourth andfifth switches are electrically interlocked in such manner that a boardand its leather cannot be moved from the inlet table and into said pressto the position where the first portion of the leather will becompressed unless a preceding board has been moved completely out of thepress; a board and its leather in the press in position to have thefirst portion of the leather rolled cannot be moved into a position inthe press where a second portion of the leather is to be rolled, unlessthere is no board on the outlet table; a board and its leather cannot bemoved from said outlet table to said unloading table unless there is noboard on the unloading table; a board cannot be moved from the unloadingtable to the loading table unless there is no board on the loadingtable; and a board and its leather cannot be moved from the loadingtable to the inlet table unless a board and its leather being compressedhas moved at least to the position in the press where the second portionof the leather is to be compressed.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 in whichthe electrical control system includes manually operable electricalswitches whereby the motion of a support and its leather can be governedmanually at the will of the operator through the successive stages offirst compressing the first portion of the leather, then compressing thesecond portion of the leather, moving the support and its leather to theunloading tablE, moving the support to the loading table, and moving asupport with leather on it to the inlet table.